The study investigates the effects of subtherapeutic antibiotic administration on the murine colonic microbiome and adiposity. Using a model of adiposity in young mice, the researchers found that subtherapeutic antibiotic therapy increased adiposity and metabolic hormones. They observed significant taxonomic changes in the microbiome, altered copies of key genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased colonic SCFA levels, and changes in hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism regulation. These findings demonstrate that early-life antibiotic manipulation can alter metabolic homeostasis in mice. The study highlights the potential long-term consequences of antibiotic exposure, particularly in the context of agricultural practices where low doses of antibiotics are commonly used to promote growth in farm animals.The study investigates the effects of subtherapeutic antibiotic administration on the murine colonic microbiome and adiposity. Using a model of adiposity in young mice, the researchers found that subtherapeutic antibiotic therapy increased adiposity and metabolic hormones. They observed significant taxonomic changes in the microbiome, altered copies of key genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased colonic SCFA levels, and changes in hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism regulation. These findings demonstrate that early-life antibiotic manipulation can alter metabolic homeostasis in mice. The study highlights the potential long-term consequences of antibiotic exposure, particularly in the context of agricultural practices where low doses of antibiotics are commonly used to promote growth in farm animals.